Animal Corner

Paws in the Park is a fun-filled day for families, friends, and their pets.  The event is from 8am-2pm at Wicker Memorial Park in Highland, IN.  The day begins with a walk-a-thon at 9:30am to help support the homeless animals at the shelter.  Everyone is invited to participate, individually or as a team.  We only require that you love animals!

There is a walker registration fee of $25, which includes a walker t-shirt.  Pledges are encouraged.

If not interested in the walk, stop by to check out all the vendor booths, games, food, and raffles that will be taking place throughout the day!
Interested in registering for the walk and raising pledges or have a question, please contact Amanda at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (219) 922-3811 ext. 306.

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Animal Corner

"H.O.P.E. Human Opportunities for Pet Experiences in Memory of Hilda Schwartz" will be holding informative meetings for those who want to learn more about Animal Assisted Therapy, and having a pet team tested and registered with  PET PARTNERS www.petpartners.org(formerly Delta Society).

Place:    Whispering Pines
3301 N. Calumet Avenue
Valparaiso, IN    46383
(Entrance is in the back of the building, under the canopy.  Follow signs to meeting site.)

Will meet regularly on the 1st Tuesday of every month.
Time:    7:00 PM

For further information call…
Pam Soltis 219-785-4940 or Vicki VanDenburgh 219-617-3014

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Green Zone

Porter County – The Valparaiso compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway, and the Boone Grove site, 400 West 550 South, will open for the season April 1, to give Porter County residents the opportunity to drop off yard waste from their spring cleanups.

Regular hours for the Valparaiso compost site will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Currently, the Valparaiso compost site is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through March 30. Regular hours for the Boone Grove site will be from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Currently the site is closed.

Materials accepted at either site include organic yard waste, leaves, garden clippings, household plants, brush, limbs, logs and firewood. Treated wood or lumber is not accepted at either site. Grass is not accepted at the Valparaiso site. Compost and mulch will be available at both locations for residents to take, while supplies last.

Other materials accepted at the compost sites for proper disposal include old or unusable electronics (anything with an electrical cord or powered by batteries); cell phones; compact and tube fluorescent light bulbs; household batteries; toner cartridges; and old media, such as cassette and VCR tapes, CDs, etc.

These large scale municipal composting operations allow the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County and select municipalities to manage organic material, composting yard waste and grinding organic wood waste to create large amounts of finished compost and mulch. The resulting compost and mulch are also available for public use.

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County is an agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life for Porter County residents by providing convenient, voluntary waste reduction services.

For more information about public compost sites in Porter County, visit the District’s website, www.ItMeansTheWorld.org, or call 465-3694.

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Green Zone

Peter Kesheimer congratulates Ron Jones. [Photo provided]

On April 10, 2013,  the Purdue Master Gardener Program in Lake County with the master gardeners association will celebrate countless hours volunteers spend helping others grow with gardening and landscaping at the annual spring banquet at Sts. Peter and Paul Macedonian Orthodox Church, 9660 Broadway in Crown Point, IN. With a social for guests at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7 pm, the banquet provides an opportunity for Lake County Master Gardeners to exchange ideas, continuing to learn. LCMG have an chance to purchase tickets for themselves and guests for $20 each, making sure Purdue Extension secretary, Diana Cook, 219-755-3240, receives the total amount prior to April 1st as the event manager, Jasmina Bishop, needs to know the exact number attending to provide a palatable feast. Peter Kesheimer, Scholarship Committee Chairperson, will announce the six recipients receiving donations at the banquet for the 2013-2014 school year at Indiana universities. Nikky Witkowski, Lake County Purdue Extension Educator/Coordinator of the MG program will speak on food safety in community gardens. Certified Master Gardener Awards go to Denise Harris and Dawn Vanzo. Jim Colias, Pat Dunham, Elaine Hough, and Ron Jones receive the Advanced Master Gardener awards. Bronze Badge recipients include:  David Gottneid, Marlene Gransinger, Ray Norder, Joanne Stratton, and Fangling Yu. Sheila O'Toole earned the Silver Badge while Joanne Gruber attains the Gold Badge. Hostess Committee Chairperson Gloria Smederovac will meet with committee members to create favors for the banquet.

Animal Corner

Fiona

Fiona is a 4 year old Pit Bull Terrier mix. She is literally the sweetest dog you may ever get the chance of meeting. She loves to be petted, especially behind her ears and cuddling. She is playful and energetic. She flourishes around people and loves being around them all the time. If you are looking for a sweet dog, Fiona is the dog for you. She is house trained, spayed and current on her vaccinations. The Humane Society of Northwest Indiana is located at 6100 Melton Road Miller Beach, Indiana. If you have any questions about Fiona our phone number is (219) 938-3339 and our email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Melton
Meet handsome Melton! This beautiful Pit Bull is 2 years old and has been at our shelter for almost a year. True to the breed, Melton is silly, friendly, energetic and loving. He is a fast learner and VERY eager to please.He is crate trained and does well with other dogs and just enjoys the company of others. He'll trade belly rubs for unconditional love any day - could you be the lucky recipient? The Humane Society of Northwest Indiana is located at 6100 Melton Road Miller Beach, Indiana. If you have any questions about Melton our phone number is (219) 938-3339 or our email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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